Top Five ACM Awards Memorable Moments

Jon Freeman | Published: Apr 08, 2013

Can we all agree that Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton were fun as ACM Awards co-hosts last night (April 7)? There was some concern on how it would go down without Reba, of course, but these two country gents bro'ed down and brought the funny without being disrespectful.

There were plenty of great musical moments, as we've highlighted in another post. And there were also some memorable non-musical moments—from laughter to tears—that were worth mention. Here are five of our favorites from the night.

5. Reba McEntire Returns to the Stage

She opted not to host the show, but she showed up anyway and everybody loved her for it. Looking fabulous as usual, Reba took the stage to a thunderous standing ovation and introduced the Dick Clark tribute from Garth Brooks and George Strait. Youngsters, take note—that's how an icon does it.

4. Miranda Lambert’s Female Vocalist Acceptance Speech

After winning seemingly every Female Vocalist award in existence, you'd think Miranda would be over it by now. But even after winning her fourth straight Female Vocalist ACM honor, she was effusive in her praise for her peers. "I for sure thought Carrie had it this year and she damn well deserves it," she began, before describing how her childhood dream had come full circle to her watching Shania Twain's Vegas show alongside Faith Hill, Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson. "I cried all night because I’ll never not be a fan of those beautiful women," she said. Classy.

3. Eric Church Gushes Over Meeting John Fogerty

Sporting a stylish new haircut and thicker beard, Eric Church took the stage to accept his Album of the Year Award for Chief, which was presented to him by legendary Creedence Clearwater Revival leader John Fogerty (and his one-time nemesis Miranda Lambert). Recognizing how much his brand of country-rock is indebted to Fogerty's genre-blending work, Eric made his excitement known to the entire TV audience. "I can't believe I just met John Fogerty. . . . We should hang out later."

2. Luke Bryan’s Entertainer of the Year Speech.

It's always a little sweeter when you don't see it coming, isn't it? And so a genuinely surprised, elated and tearful Luke Bryan accepted his first Entertainer of the Year Award, capping off an incredible run since the middle of last year. "I swear to God, every time I step onstage it is a blessing for me to play for fans," Luke said. "This is the defining moment of my life and it means the world to me and I will never take it for granted." It's hard to not be excited when a nice guy finishes first.

1. Blake Shelton Congratulates Luke

Though he seemed the favorite to win EOTY, Blake Shelton didn't scowl and pout when his co-host's name was called. Instead, he put his arm around Luke in a spontaneous display of friendship that cut right through all the show business nonsense to show a couple of decent guys. And he never lost his sense of humor, either: "You won entertainer of the year in your first and last year of co-hosting the ACM Awards," he joked to Luke. Aw, let's all hug it out.